DATE=1/27/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA / U-S AMBASSADOR (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-258480
BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO:  The new U-S ambassador to China says expanding 
high-level military contacts between the two countries 
is crucial if Beijing and Washington are to avoid any 
miscalculation in potential confrontations.  VOA 
correspondent Roger Wilkison reports retired Admiral 
Joseph Prueher also says he will pursue human rights 
issues in his dealings with Chinese officials but will 
not lecture them.

TEXT:  Ambassador Prueher told a group of American 
reporters Thursday that -after six weeks in Beijing- 
he is still trying to become familiar with the 
complexities of U-S-China relations.

Mr. Prueher, who retired last year after 35 years in 
the U-S Navy, says he is especially hopeful that 
military relations between the two countries can be 
improved.  China suspended military contacts after 
NATO accidentally bombed the Chinese embassy in 
Yugoslavia last May.  Mr. Prueher commanded US Forces 
in the Pacific when Washington dispatched two aircraft 
carriers to the vicinity of Taiwan in 1996 after China 
fired missiles off the island's coast to frighten 
voters in Taiwan's first free elections.  He says 
communication between military leaders is needed to 
prevent any misjudgment of intentions.

            /// PRUEHER ACTUALITY ///

      This stems a lot from what I learned as the 
      military commander in the Pacific in 1996.  When 
      things were heating up in the lead-up to the 
      Taiwan elections, I didn't know anybody in China 
      to talk to.  And we had no military relationship 
      to talk to people in China.  We need to have the 
      ability to have that communication so we don't 
      make any miscalculation.

            /// END ACTUALITY ///

Military contacts between the two countries officially 
resumed this week.  A high-level delegation of Chinese 
officers has been meeting in Washington since Monday 
with top U-S defense officials.

Mr. Prueher says he will quietly but steadfastly seek 
to bring up human rights questions when meeting with 
Chinese officials.  But he says he will not preach to 
the Chinese.

            /// PRUEHER ACTUALITY ///

      It's a core part of what the United States is 
      about, and we will continue to talk about it.  
      By the same token, I've committed to our host 
      not to lecture on the subject-that we don't 
      necessarily come from a record of perfection 
      where we get to lecture to everybody-and to try 
      to work this in a constructive way.

            /// END ACTUALITY ///

The ambassador says he will concentrate on a wide-
ranging agenda when dealing with human rights instead 
of individual cases.

Mr. Prueher says how China copes with change as it 
moves toward rule by law, a market economy and 
integration with the rest of the world is the big 
issue in U-S/China relations.  He says he hopes China 
adopts to change smoothly and moves toward a society 
where democratic principles, open markets and the free 
flow of information hold sway.

            /// PRUEHER ACTUALITY ///

      We hope that China takes the path of successful 
      nations.  I think it's in our interest to try to 
      help them go along this path.  They have to do 
      it for themselves.  A secure, stable and 
      prosperous China will be a more responsible 
      global neighbor, which is what we seek.

            /// END ACTUALITY ///

Mr. Prueher says -despite their differences over such 
issues as Taiwan and human rights-the United States 
and China have one overriding common interest: a 
secure, stable Asia.  (Signed)

NEB/RW/KL 



27-Jan-2000 08:18 AM EDT (27-Jan-2000 1318 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.